Previously
Evgenia discovers that Anne has secured the absolute loyalty of the knight Grisel Fion by arranging financial aid for his sick brother, effectively turning him into a devoted personal guard. Evgenia realizes that Anne is far more cunning and capable than she initially thought, having used the brother's situation as leverage.
Hearing those words lifted the heavy weight from my chest, if only a little.
Even if this trust wasn’t truly meant for me, there was no turning back now.
I turned my head toward the window, where the moon hung high in the sky.
I suddenly wondered about the will of whatever ruler had placed me in this world.
The man kneeling on the cold, dark floor suddenly snapped his eyes wide open.
Despite his desperate struggle to remain conscious, he had ultimately passed out.
In that brief span of time, he had been drenched in cold sweat from head to toe.
Words that seemed entirely unfitting for his noble features spilled from his lips.
Yet he could bear it no longer; his mind was still haunted by the hellish visions that had filled his sight only moments before.
It had been a terrifying nightmare. No, it was no nightmare.
He had never spoken of it to anyone, assuming not a soul would believe him, but it was undeniably real…
Gritting his teeth, he bit his lip and squeezed his clasped hands tight before closing his eyes once more.
At that moment, with a sharp click, the door swung open, flooding the room with light.
Antonio, a clergyman with angelic features, hurried anxiously toward the silver-haired man.
Catching sight of the untouched meal tray nearby, Antonio scolded the High Priest. Damian, however, merely rose to his feet on unsteady legs.
Antonio opened his mouth to continue lecturing him, insisting that skipping meals would leave him far too weak to lead the prayer service, but froze the moment he saw Damian’s face.
The lifeless complexion, the hollow eyes devoid of spirit yet terrifying enough to unnerve anyone—none of it looked like the Damian he knew.
Having grown up with Damian as orphans in the Temple, Antonio felt the change with acute clarity.
The once steadfast Damian, renowned for his unshakeable convictions and steady demeanor, now exuded an aura of sheer desolation.
( ‘As though he can see mountains of corpses looming behind him.’ )
Startled by his own grim thoughts, Antonio quickly shook his head.
Damian was celebrated as the youngest High Priest in the Temple’s history, blessed with immense divine power.
His fame stretched far beyond the Temple walls, lauded for his steadfast principles, his compassionate nature, and his incorruptible character.
Even now, he had been praying with desperate fervor. Yet Antonio could not shake the chilling dread radiating from him.
‘It is I who lack faith and prayer,’ Antonio chided himself, trying to cast his doubts aside. But he could not erase the memory of Damian wandering through the Temple like a madman ten days ago.
Ever since that night, Damian had locked himself in the prayer room, fasting and praying day and night.
( ‘Wait. Ten days ago?’ )
That had coincided with the imperial declaration of war. What began as an expedition to subdue barbaric tribes near the border had spiraled into imperial conquest.
Even this current campaign—where the Crown Prince himself had departed—had begun with an unprovoked strike across the border of a neighboring state, using a trivial dispute as a pretext.
At first, the Temple had kept silent, unable to recklessly defend invaders who breached another land's territory. But as the situation deteriorated, they had no choice but to speak out.
That, in turn, had strained the Temple's relationship with the Imperial Family, with whom they had long maintained a cordial alliance.
In response, the Temple organized prayer gatherings for peace and for the casualties of war. Even now, the grounds were teeming with the faithful, praying for loved ones marching into battle.
Antonio finally understood why Damian looked so shattered.
As head of the Temple, Damian undoubtedly felt an overwhelming weight of responsibility and guilt for failing to prevent this needless war and the inevitable bloodshed.
( ‘After all, unlike ordinary clergymen who can only heal, Damian receives divine words and visions.’ )
Setting his lingering doubts aside, Antonio watched Damian return to his prayers, then spoke up.
Damian’s reply was terse, his eyes remaining shut.
Antonio sighed softly at Damian’s apparent lack of focus, then continued.
At that, Damian’s long, silver lashes trembled, parting to reveal pale green eyes.
Encouraged by his apparent interest, Antonio raised his voice slightly.
“…”
How had he known? The shocking news had already thrown the entire Temple into an uproar.
Before Antonio could finish his sentence, a spark of resolve lit up Damian’s vacant eyes.
“I will officiate it personally.”
When I opened my eyes the next morning, thrilling news was waiting for me: the Temple had finalized the wedding date.
It was far sooner than anyone had anticipated, surprising my family as much as it did me.
Ever since finding myself thrust into this world, I had vaguely dreamed of this day. Now, seeing my favorite character in the flesh was merely a matter of time!
I should have been bursting with pure joy, but instead…
( ‘Ugh. I barely have enough time to prepare for the wedding, and now I have to comfort him, too?’ )
I sighed inwardly as I looked at Alexis, who sat sulking with a large cushion hugged tightly to his chest, glaring daggers at me.
Not that I had actually been running myself ragged with wedding preparations; House Basilian and Anne were handling practically everything.
All I really had to do was pick out a gown and some accessories from the catalogues Anne showed me, then sign the necessary documents.
Frankly, I had been terrified that I might be illiterate in this body, but to my relief, I had no trouble reading or writing. Thinking back on it, it made sense—I could comprehend and speak the language naturally, after all.
Still, I had been dreadfully anxious at the time. I couldn't bear the thought of my favorite character ending up saddled with an illiterate bride…
I had simply gotten lost in thought, and I felt bad for neglecting him after taking the trouble to come visit. Yet here he was, suddenly barking at me.
Alexis, eyes wide with indignation, pressed on with his outburst.